The Arizona Cardinals’ roster has undergone significant improvements since last offseason. Entering the 2023 season, the team relied on quarterback Joshua Dobbs, with Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore as the primary receivers. However, this offseason saw substantial upgrades to the offense, notably with Kyler Murray starting in Week 1, free from the knee injury recovery that sidelined him last year.
Monti Ossenfort made strategic changes to the offense, enhancing its overall strength. The running game will be spearheaded by James Conner, who is coming off a career-best year in 2023, along with rookie Trey Benson, drafted as a potential future starter. For the passing game, the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison Jr. as their top wideout in the draft and signed veteran Zay Jones to a one-year contract. Additionally, the team re-signed Greg Dortch and recognized tight end Trey McBride as a valuable asset in their offense.
While the outlook for the Cardinals’ offense is promising, this influx of talent could pose challenges for one of the team’s wide receivers…
Could Michael Wilson take a step back in production?
Drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft last year, Michael Wilson made a modest impact for the Cardinals, recording 38 receptions for 565 yards and 3 touchdowns. With limited offensive support, Wilson occasionally became a reliable target for quarterback Kyler Murray. However, this dynamic might shift in the upcoming season.
With the addition of new offensive weapons and an improved rushing attack, including an upgraded offensive line, Wilson’s role might diminish. While this presents a challenge, there is also an upside: Wilson is entering his second year with the Cardinals, giving him the chance to further develop his skills. The downside is that he will face increased competition for targets with the arrival of Marvin Harrison Jr. and the emergence of tight end Trey McBride, who established himself as a top ten player in his position last season.